On January 23rd, Inter Milan would welcome Juventus at home in the first round of the Coppa Italia quarterfinals.
This season was the return season of the Bianconeri after Juventus was demoted due to the Calciopoli incident. Although a year had passed, the impact of the Calciopoli incident on Juventus was obvious.
After nineteen rounds of the league, Juventus had ten wins, seven draws, and two losses. They had accumulated thirty-seven points and were ranked third in the league.
If one only looked at the league ranking, Juventus' results did not seem too bad.
However, if one looked at Inter Milan's score, which was fifty-seven points, Juventus was twenty points behind Inter Milan just halfway through the league. This was a great failure for the former Serie A overlord Juventus.
The Calciopoli incident had a huge impact on Juventus. The most important impact was the loss of star players. The departure of star players such as Fabio Cannavaro, Emerson, Ibrahimović, and Zambrotta almost dismembered the Serie A overlord. Although they were willing to invest a lot of money in the transfer market in their first season back in Serie A, it was clear that the rebuilding of a dynasty was not done overnight. The gap in overall strength was the most fundamental reason why there was such a big gap between them and Inter Milan!
Before this, there had always been voices of debate in Turin. Was it necessary for Juventus to compete for the league title this season? Or should they do it in one fell swoop and transfer their focus to the Coppa Italia on the basis of ensuring the qualification for the UEFA Champions League? Now, Juventus urgently needed a championship to boost their confidence and morale, even if it was only the Coppa Italia that they did not value before!
The game against Inter Milan might be a test and verification. If Juventus could overcome Inter Milan, it would be a great boost to their confidence. If they could overcome Inter Milan, they would enter the semifinals of the Coppa Italia. If they could overcome Inter Milan, which team could stop them from winning the Coppa Italia?!
Therefore, the away game against Inter Milan in the first round of the Coppa Italia quarterfinals was very important for Juventus. If they wanted to advance to the semifinals after the second round, they had to have a good result in this away game. At the very least, they could not lose.
Even to the extent that Juventus longed for a victory!
If they could defeat Inter Milan in the away game, it would be a shot in the arm for Juventus. It would have an immediate effect on their confidence and self-esteem.
Therefore, in this game, Juventus manager Ranieri sent out the main force to win with all his strength.
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Li Ang was also very clear about this. he certainly would not give Juventus a chance to find confidence in him.
However, unlike Juventus' main force, Li Ang made appropriate rotations in this game...
The changes in the rear defense line was relatively large.
In the goalkeeper position, the veteran Toldo was given the opportunity to start the match.
In the rear defensive line, Bonucci and Burdisso formed the center back partnership. The left back was captain Zanetti, and the right back was Maxwell.
In the midfield, Carlos was the unshakable main force. Montari got the chance to start. Marchisio also replaced Silva on the right flank. Mata still started on the left flank.
In the front line, Diego Milito got the chance to start. His partner was Agüero. Adriano was placed on the bench to rest for this game.
It could be said that Li Ang rotated most of the main force in this game.
Of course, this did not mean that the substitutes of Inter Milan who got the chance to start were not good enough. Whether it was Burdisso, Maxwell, Montari, or Marchisio, their strength was not good. Even the current starting lineup was not inferior to their opponent today, Juventus. It could only be said that Inter Milan's strength was really strong now, and the depth of their bench was sufficient.
On the other hand, Juventus' starting lineup was almost unchanged from the previous meeting between the two sides in the league. It was not that Ranieri still had absolute confidence in the starting lineup that was brutally abused by Inter Milan in that game. In fact, this was already the strongest lineup that he could arrange now.
Juventus returned to Serie A and did not have the Champions League to play in. People could not predict the future of this old powerhouse. This was the reason why Juventus could not attract top star players to join them for the time being, even if they waved their checkbook.
Because of this, Marchisio, who could only play as a substitute under Li Ang, became a savior in the eyes of Juventus. They were eager to get this player.
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Li Ang had a targeted arrangement to deal with Juventus' old and rough defensive line.
Inter Milan raised their speed from the first second of the game and continued to accelerate during the game.
Looking at Inter Milan's starting lineup, except for the goalkeeper, Toldo, and the captain, Zanetti, they were all young players or players in the prime of their playing years. They were full of energy.
Li Ang relied on his team, which was full of young people with good stamina, good running ability, and dashing ability to bully Juventus' rear defensive line formed by Legrottaglie and Zebina. In addition, Juventus' current main center back, Giorgio Chiellini, had not yet grown to the height of the Italian national team's main center back and the best center back in Serie A. He was still a pit.
There was a very correct saying that a good center back grew from a pit step by step.
Zebina, Legrottaglie, Giorgio Chiellini, and Grygera could be said to be a little battered and exhausted under the pressure and rapid impact of Inter Milan's players.
In the beginning, when they saw that Inter Milan had rotated more than half of their starting lineup in this game, some commentators said that Juventus, who had used all their main players, might really have a chance to take away a satisfactory result or even a victory from the Meazza Stadium.
However, after the game began, they began to find that even in the face of Inter Milan's semi-substitute lineup, Juventus seemed to have no way to compete!
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Ranieri handed over Juventus' midfield defense to Nocerino today.
However, in the face of Inter Milan's continuous attacks, Nocerino was a little tired.
This time, after Nocerino blocked an attack from Marchisio, he said something to Zanetti anxiously. He needed Zanetti's help.
However, Zanetti was also not feeling good. The Ghanaian Montari was his main opponent today. This Ghanaian had a fierce style. Zanetti, who was about to turn 31 years old, could not bear to face such a fierce black lad.
Ranieri also saw that the midfield was tight on the sidelines. He made a deployment and asked the veteran Nedved to withdraw back to help the team's defense.
Ranieri's goal for today's game was very clear. First, he had to ensure that he did not concede a goal. Even if it was a draw in the end, it would be acceptable. If he could finally succeed in a sneak attack and take away a victory, then it would be perfect.
Nedved's position took the initiative to withdraw and work in the backfield. At the same time, he also supported Zanetti and Nocerino at any time. The rear of the Juventus team became slightly more stable with Ranieri's adjustment this time …
Li Ang glanced at the away team's technical area. Ranieri's adjustment this time seemed a little conservative, but it was the best choice for Juventus. This' tinker 'had some skills after all.
Li Ang certainly could not let this happen. Once the rear of the Juventus team was stable, and Juventus took a breather, the two sides would fall into a balance and enter a tug-of-war. Juventus might have the power to fight back, and then it would be Inter Milan's turn to bear the pressure.
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Marchisio was slightly at a disadvantage in the battle with Nocerino. Marchisio's physical confrontation ability was not as good as Nocerino's.
Marchisio was a midfielder with comprehensive skills and balanced abilities. It was undeniable that he had a very good offensive awareness, outstanding off-the-ball running, and proficient in small skills. But in general, he was still a defensive-oriented midfielder. He could bring surprises in the offense from time to time, but his ability was not enough to make him the fixed protagonist of the team's offense. Such a player could surprise you at any time when the opponent's defenders did not pay too much attention to him. But if the opponent consciously paid attention to him, it might be difficult for him to do anything in the offense.
Marchisio's physical confrontation ability, ability to distribute the ball in the front of the penalty area, and vertical breakthrough ability in the middle were not outstanding enough. It was difficult for him to do anything in the face of the opponent's intensive defense. At the same time, his position in the front also weakened his contribution to the defense.
Li Ang thought about it and decided to let Marchisio come back to replace Montari, and let Montari plug in to participate in the offense. In the training, Marchisio played as the defensive midfielder, and Montari played in the position of the right midfielder. This had been tried before, so this exchange of positions would not cause confusion.
Montari was a rough player, and he did not play with details. Li Ang let Montari move forward, not to let Montari be the core of the offense, but to let Montari contain Nocerino and free up Marchisio. Marchisio, who retreated, might be able to play a better offensive effect.
As for Zanetti, Marchisio's offense and defense were balanced. With Marchisio's defensive ability, it was not a problem to deal with him, not to mention that Carlos could help.
Li Ang walked to the sidelines and whistled inside. Marchisio looked over and made a gesture to switch positions. Marchisio immediately understood.
Then, taking advantage of a dead ball, Montari and Marchisio completed the handover of work.
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Next, Inter Milan's next attack, Nocerino found that the person who rushed up this time was not Marchisio, but Montari!
Nocerino saw Montari take the ball and went up to him. Montari did not seem to want to get rid of him immediately. Instead, he turned around to protect the football and waited for Nocerino to come up.
Nocerino and Montari confronted each other.
Montari's physical fitness was very good. This time, the Ghanaian had the upper hand in the confrontation.
Montari leaned back, and Nocerino, who was caught off guard, lost his balance and was about to tilt to the back. At the critical moment, he used his hand to pull on Montari's clothes and finally regained his balance.
Montari did not give Nocerino a chance to continue to entangle himself. He used his strong body to squeeze Nocerino again. When the other side focused on the physical confrontation between the two, Montari passed the football to Marchisio, who came up to receive him.
Then Montari turned around and rushed forward, and Marchisio sent a straight pass at the right time. The two midfielders cooperated tacitly. They got rid of Nocerino.
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"Beautiful! Li Ang let Montari and Marchisio switch positions, and the effect is obvious! "
"Marchisio's position is back, and the organization of the attack is even better. Montari's defensive ability is also effective!"
"This is a real master-level operation! With just a small change of position, the situation had an immediate change! I'm now looking forward to the happy results of Inter Milan's changes! "Rossi exclaimed.
When Nocerino rushed up to entangle again, Montari suddenly stopped, and then the two men collided. Before Montari fell to the ground, he passed the football out.
This was the manifestation of Marchisio's offensive ability after he got rid of the melee with his opponent. He cleverly plugged in, and after he got the ball, he dribbled the ball straight into the middle of the penalty area!
"He's going to break through from the middle! Stop him! "Juventus's goalkeeper, Buffon, shouted behind the defenders.
Marchisio's sudden plug and breakthrough attracted the attention of all the Juventus defenders.
Chiellini crossed in front of him.
At the same time, Grygera was also moving closer to the middle.
The two sides were about to meet.
Marchisio suddenly shook his ankle, and he kicked the football to the left!
Although Diego Milito and Agüero were still under the close supervision of the Juventus defenders, Mata on the flank was not marked.
After seeing Marchisio pass the ball to the flank, Diego Milito and Agüero tacitly plugged in to the goal.
Marchisio, who completed the pass, did not plug in to the front of the goal. Instead, he stayed outside the penalty area.
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Juventus' center backs were all attracted by the breakout of the two strikers, Diego Milito and Agüero, and they all ran into the penalty area.
In this way, a gap immediately appeared around Marchisio!
There was no one guarding beside him at this time!
Mata dribbled the ball to continue to the bottom, but he suddenly stopped, pulled the football back, and then directly pushed the football over with his left foot!
Nedved was experienced, and he immediately keenly perceived the other party's intention.
Shocked, Nedved rushed toward the defenseless Marchisio.
Marchisio stood in place, turned sideways to the ball, and swung his right foot.
He was going to shoot directly!
Nedved gritted his teeth and risked a card to stop Marchisio from shooting!
He knew very well that once Inter Milan took the lead, it would be a terrible situation for Juventus.
Nedved directly slid!
Marchisio seemed to be prepared for this. He did not need a direct physical confrontation, and his offensive talent began to show.
Marchisio pulled the football beautifully, and at the same time, he used his left foot as an axis, turned halfway, and beautifully avoided Nedved's slide!
Then his movements were very coherent, followed by a slight adjustment, and he swung his leg to shoot!
The football drew a beautiful arc and flew to the front of the goal!
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